Spiderman Playhouse

Spider-Man in his familiar blue and red-webbed outfit is in full combat mode on two sides of the striking and colourful Spider-Man Playhouse; the Green Goblin, Spider-Man's arch enemy, parades menacingly across the front and back--thus creating a superhero den that will have Spider-Man fans weaving imaginative tales and acting out plots of good versus evil within no time at all.

Unlike some pole-and-fabric tents, the Spider-Man Playhouse takes only minutes to assemble. The PVC poles are easy to link because of an interior elastic cord running through them. There are no loose bits as joint pieces for angles and corners are already in place. The fabric shell slips over the frame and tucks neatly under each corner with three ties to secure it. Although Dekker Toys emphasise that adults should put the playhouse together for safety reasons, the four-point diagram could easily be followed by any five-year old. It is equally simple to dismantle and pops back into its packaging box for easy storage.

The Spider-Man Playhouse is 102 x 74 x 110 cm when upright, meaning that it comfortably allows for two or three children to play inside it. There is one entrance with Velcro fastenings. Unlike most playhouses, it does not have a window, but our six-year old tester did not find it hot or stuffy, even in good weather. The Playhouse is light and can be easily transferred from house to garden and the fabric shell is washable. It is fairly sturdy--a necessary requirement when boisterous boys are acting out Spider-Man fantasies.

The Playhouse will encourage creative thought and role-play and young children will enjoy the idea of their own space free from parental intervention. --Tracey Hogan